Triazabutadiene molecules that provide adhesive functionality, e.g., triazabutadiene molecules as underwater adhesives or water-reactive adhesives. The triazabutadiene molecules mask an aryl diazonium ion, a highly reactive chemical functionality. Once unmasked, e.g., in water, the diazonium species is adapted to react with an electron rich aryl ring that can undergo diazonium chemistry (e.g., phenol species, resorcinol species, etc.). Triazabutadienes can be used as additives in adhesive systems such as but not limited to epoxy adhesive systems.